Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1887-02-11
Didymous said to her in a low voice:

1T ridng party, Miss Scamper.
l know the best horse in the livery sta.
BILE here. and if you'll permit me. I'll
secure it for you"
10 which she replied in the same
tone; Thank YOU Mr. Dodd; YOU are
very kind; but | have one at command
already. Get that for yourself"
Somewhat rebuiled. Didymus color
ed. but she added, mine shall not dis
grace you" which was distinct init
nation that she expected him as escort.
The spirits of Ddymus rose from zero
to blood heat.
The next morning, as the riders were
ready to start. IA groom, known to be
one OF Colonel Parsifalls rode up, lead
ing magnificent blooded bay horse,
equipped with a side saddle As they
were admiring the animal. Miss Scamp
er, in neat riding habit, made her APP
pearance. The groom took of his hat
Didymus, not little astonished. put
forth his hand and the lady vaulted to
the back of the horse with easy grace.
the cavalcade set out, Miss Scamper
and Didymus together, and being bet
ter mounted than the others, were
soon at the head of the column.
About mile from the Springs there
was a bar in the way. A lofty tulip
tree had been down during the night
and had fallen across the road, the
trunk well up on account of the wide
roots. Some one had already cleared
way by letting down fences on the
roadside; did not 90 around with the
rest She faced the trunk. the horse
went over and trotted on. Didymus
faced too. His brute got over. but
half stumbled. Didymous was country
bred, had ridden horses to mill bare
backed, and was half centaur when a
boy; so he brought his horse up.
Miss Scamper smiled approvingly.
Everybody admired the ease and
grace with which Miss Scamper man
aged her horse, and Didymus more
than everybody
When they arrived at their destina-
ton, the party dispersed in the house
and over the grounds. They found old
Scamper there. He had gone before
in a carryall. Almont was the proper
ty of Colonel Almont, and was for
sale, with its fine blooded stock of
horses and cattle. its furniture, it S libra
~, and everything in the house and
around it. The Colonel and his family
were in Europe. and intended TO stay
there while he educated his sons at Hei-
delberg. So he offered the whole-a
house that cost a hundred and thirty
thousand dollars, with all its Offices of
all kinds. stables. palmery. grapery
and greenhouses, furniture made to
order, and over twelve hundred acres
of land in a high state Of cultivation
'for. as he said in his letter, "a mere
song So it was; but as it was set to
the tune of three hundred thousand
dollars, there were few who could rem
der the music.
They all admired the place. The
agent, who was there, seized on the
Scampers and DidyInus. to whom he
showed everything and explained
everything. Didymus was amused at
this. and whispered to Miss Scamper.
"He has picked out the only three who
could certainly not buy it Miss
Scamper, by the twinkle in her eyes,
evidently appreciated the fun OF the
situation. Then the agent seized old
Scamper, and dragged him off to look
at the blood horses and imported cattle.
leaving D.dymus and the girl together.
How do YOU like the place, Mr..
Dodd?' inquired she.
Like it, Miss Scamperl Why, It's
a garden of Eden; that is, it would be
so to me, if had it with an Eve in it.
The young lady smiled. aud said,
You like country lie, then, Mr..
Dodd?'
Naturally" replied Didymus. Il
lived in the country until l was twenty
two. | was born and bred there.
should have been there yet but for the
death of both my parents. went to
the city in search of fortune | have
done very well for the last seven years,
and have put little by; but to covet
a place like this is like wishing for the
moon.
The country is the place to live in,
and the city to work in" said Miss
Scamper. sententiously.
ITO live in, grant you, IL you have
the means-a good farm and money to
work it Otherwise you toll harder in
the country than in town, with less
comfort and less rofit. ~
Then they discourscd on rural top
les, with marvellous unity of scnti-
ment. until the venerable Scamper and
the agent got back which was at the
time the whole party, each with nose
gay furnished by the gardner from the
greenhouse, was ready for a return to
the Springs.
Th.,o l.. tai